DETECTIVES last night moved quickly to reassure the Merseyside public after a man was gunned down in what was believed to be a revenge attack for a shooting over the weekend.

The latest victim was hit at least once in the back and underwent an emergency operation following the attack yesterday evening.

It was thought to be directly connected to an attack in the early hours of Sunday morning which left a man requiring reconstructive facial surgery.

Early today, Det Supt Nick Housley told the Daily Post: "The shooting is the result of an ongoing dispute in the Liverpool 8 area.

"It is being linked to a shooting which took place during the early hours of Sunday, June 24, in the Myrtle Street area of the city."

Last night's shooting occurred around 7pm in Thackeray Street, Toxteth, and, according to a hospital spokesman, the 19-year-old victim - who is local to the area - was now in a "stable" condition.

Added Det Supt Housley: "We are following a number of positive leads in both shootings and we firmly believe that both of the victims were deliberately targeted. This was almost certainly not a random act.

"We are constantly striving to reduce the amount of violent incidents on Merseyside and we urge anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the Thackeray Street area around 7pm yesterday to contact us immediately.

"A full forensic examination of the scene is currently being conducted by scenes-of-crimes officers in the hunt for evidence."

The earlier shooting occurred around 1am last Sunday, close to the junction of Myrtle Street and Sugnall Street.

It is thought the 24-year-old victim was lured to the scene where he was then shot in his car at close range.

According to surgeons, the man was "just an inch from death" as one bullet struck his skull.

Det Supt John Colligan, who is heading that inquiry, said: "The victim was very fortunate indeed. He was left with serious facial injuries which specialist surgeons have operated on."

Early yesterday morning, several shots were fired outside a shop in Toxteth.

The security shutters of the Granby Continental Store were peppered with shots but no-one was injured in the incident.

"It is thought that up to 18 shots were "indiscriminately fired" but so far there is nothing to link it to either of the woundings.

Anyone who can help the police with any of these incidents is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.